Total Knee Replacement

Total Knee Replacement at the Georgia Orthopedic Institute

What To Expect After Surgery

Day Of Surgery

What Will Happen Today

Once you return from surgery, you will be able to have a liquid diet. There
is medicine for you if you feel sick to your stomach. In the afternoon,
the physical therapist will come to visit and start your therapy which
may include getting out of bed. Your knee will be bending and extending
continuously in a machine.

Nurses will be in to attend to you every 2-3 hours checking your blood
pressure and pulse. It is very important that you expand your lungs after
surgery. To help you, the nurses will ask you to breathe deeply and cough
every two hours. Staff will ask you to blow into a small machine as well.

You will have a tube in your arm providing you with fluids and a way to
administer your pain medications and antibiotics. There will be a tube
in your bladder which will be removed tomorrow.

During the night the nursing staff will awaken you to check your blood
pressure and pulse. They will help you turn and move about in bed. Pain
medicine is available to help you rest comfortably.

You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale from 1 to 10. Pain medications
will be available for your comfort and to help you in your activities.
It is important that you actively particpate in therapy and getting out
of bed and pain control will help with that process.

After Surgery Schedule

Hour 1-4 You will go to the Recovery Room and return to the floor. Nurses will
check your blood pressure and pulse often and you will be asked to deep breathe.

Hour 5-8 Nurses will ask you to rate your pain and give you medicine in the tube
in your arm. The physical therapist will start your sessions and you will
be out of bed. You will be able to drink and eat.

During The Night Nurses will awaken you to check on your knee, blood pressure and pulse.
They will ask you to rate your pain and deep breathe.

Day 1 After

What Will Happen Today

This morning a staff member will be in to draw your blood. This is routine
and is part of your doctor's orders. You will continue your deep breathing
exercises every two hours throughout the day.

The nursing staff will be removing the tube in your bladder and you will
be able to use the bathroom with help from the nursing staff. The doctor
will give you stool softeners to help with your bowel movement.

You will be out of bed at least two times today with the nursing staff
and the phsyical therapist to help you. You will sit up for your meals
and will be able to enjoy a regular diet. When you are in bed, the machine
will continue to exercise your knee.

You will continue to get your pain medicine and you antibiotics through
the tube in your arm.

The nursing staff will be in throughout the day and night checking your
blood pressure, pulse and your temperature. They will check your bandage
and may change it as needed.

You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale from 1 to 10. Pain medications
will be available for your comfort and to help you in your activities.
It is important that you actively participate in therapy and getting out
of bed and pain control will help with that process.

Day 1

Morning You will have your blood drawn early. The tube in your bladder will be
removed. You will get out of bed for breakfast and your morning phsyical
therapy session. Nurses will check your blood pressure and ask you to
rate your pain.

Afternoon You will continue to get your pain medicine through the tube in your arm.
You will have your afternoon physical therapy session. The nurses will
check your bandage and change it as needed. Your Care Coordinator will
visit you. Depending upon your progress you will likely go home after
your afternoon physical therapy session.

During The Night Nurses will awaken you to check on your knee, blood pressure and pulse.
They will ask you to rate your pain and deep breathe.

Day 2 After

What Will Happen Today

This morning a staff member will be in to draw your blood. This is routine
and is part of your doctor's orders. You will continue your deep breathing
exercises every two hours throughout the day.

You will be out of bed at least two times today with the nursing staff
and the physical therapist to help you. You will sit up for your meals
and will be able to enjoy a regular diet. You will be able to get up to
use the bathroom. When you are in bed, the machine will continue to exercise
your knee.

You will continue on your deep breathing exercises.

The doctor will begin you on a vitamin pill today along with a blood thinner.
You will continue on your stool softeners until you have a bowel movement.

The nursing staff will be in throughout the day and night checking your
blood pressure, pulse and your temperature. They will check your bandage
and may change it as needed.

The tube in your arm will be removed and you will begin your parin medicine
by mouth today. You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale from 1
to 10. It is important that you actively participate in therapy and getting
out of bed and pain control will help with that process.

Your Care Coordinator will visit you again today and work with you to make
your final discharge plans including any equipment needs. If you are returning
home you will need a family member or friend to drive you.

Day 2

Morning You will have your blood drawn early. You will get out of bed for breakfast
and your morning physical therapy session. Nurses will begin your vitamin
pill and your blood thinner.

Afternoon The tube in your arm will be removed and you will begin your pain medicine
by mouth. You will be out of bed and participate in your physical therapy.
Your Care Coordinator will visit you to make the final palsn for your
discharge.

During The Night Nurses will check your blood pressure and be available if you need pain
medicine. You will rest.